Gliding boat



D. TORRALVA May 21, 1929.

GLIDING BOAT Filed Nov- 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l y 21, 1929- b. TORRALVA 1,713,570

GLIDING BOAT Filed Nov 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 21, 1929.

UNITED STATES,

1,113,570 PATENT OFFICE.

DOMINGO'TORRALVA, or PARIS, FRANCE. 1

GLIDING BOAT. 7

Application filed November 5, 1927, Serial No. 231,334, and in France September 26, 1927.

My invention relates to an improved gliding boat whose main body has the form of a hull which will float on the water when in the inoperative position, and will be lifted out of the water by the reaction upon immerged planes which are moved forward by a marine propeller. \Vhen the apparatus is above water, the said planes will glide upon the surface during the forward travel. I further combine with said planes supporting the main body, a rudder for lifting the apparatus out of the water, which is analogous to airplane rudders for vertical steering.

In practice, my said apparatus thus resembles an airplane in the inverted position.

The main body or hull, corresponding to an airplane body, being situated above the planes which carry the rear fins and rudders, but in my said apparatus, the various reacting surfaces for lifting, balancing or steering are subjected to hydraulic action, and not to the action of the air. My said gliding apparatus differs from the Forlinani type from the fact that it comprises at each end of the floating body or hull a single reacting plane, the apparatus being raised out of the water by varying the leading angle of the said planes, due to the control exercised by the rear horizontal rudder.

In the appended drawings and by way of example:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a constructional form of the gliding boat according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, and Fig. 3 the corresponding plan view. Fig. at is a front view of the apparatus.

As above specified, the gliding boat according to my invention comprises an inclosed body or hull a which serves practically the same purpose as the main body of an airplane, the said body a being adapted to float on the water as in the case of certain hydroplanes.

My said apparatus is essentially characteriy ed by the combination, with the said floating body or hull a, of the lower supporting planes 6 which are immersed in the water when the hull a floats at the surface.

The planes 6 are preferably placed in the transverse position with reference to the axis of the main body a and are disposed under each end of the said body. The rear plane is combined with a lifting rudder. 0 which is pivoted on a horizontal axis, and with a steering rudder d which is movable on a yertical axle. The apparatus thus composed 1s propelled by a water propeller e of the usual marine or like type.

The lifting planes I) possess, like the wings of an airplane, an operating or leading angle of such value that the reaction to which they are subjected when rising to the surface of the water will produce a vertical (and ascending) component which will equilibrate the weight of the body a and will maintain its emerged position. To realize this emerged position, I modify the leading angle of the lifting planes 1) by means of the horizontal rudder 0. The unbalancing which thus takes place will determine the inclination of the longitudinal axis of the body a and that of the coasting planes 1), so that the vertical component will increase, thus op pos ng the action of gravity and raising the body a above the surface of the water. When the speed of travel is sufficient, the apparatus operates as a gliding boat, the vertical steering rudder c has the horizontal position, and the lifting surfaces 1) are displaced upon the surface of the water. If the height of the main body or hull a is sufficient, it will not be affected by the action of the waves.

To descend in the water, I reduce the speed of travel and also place the horizontal rudder c in the descending position.

Since the main body, during its forward travel, is not subjected to a variable resistance represented by the waves which move in the free space below the main body'a, the said apparatus may be operated at high speed, even in water, which is much agitated.

By the said arrangements, I am further enabled to diminish the pitching and rolling effects, since the lifting planes b are less affected than the keel of a boat, or the like.

In the said form of construct-ion which is shown by way of example, the main body a is connected by the struts or like connections f with the lifting planes 1); said connections may form a protecting casing, at the rear part of the apparatus, for the shaft driving the immersed propeller e.

I claim a 1. A gliding boat comprising a body, supports for the body, a single plane extending transverselv of the front portion of the body and extending beyond each side of the said body, a rear plane extending transversely of the body and extending beyond each side and the rear of the said body, means for varying the inclination of a portion of the rear plane and a means for propelling the body.

2. A gliding boat comprising a body, supports extending from the body and terniinating laterally beyond the body, a single plane extending transversely of the body and projecting beyond each side of the body and secured to the supports, a rear plane similar to the first mentioned plane, the said planes forming asingle plane surface upon which the boat is supported while being driven thru the Water none of the said planes being below the surface of the Water while the boat is in motiorna means for guiding the boat, and a means for propelling the boat.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

DOMINGO TORRALVA. 

